"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney
Introduction:
Well I'm bad at introductions, but here we are anyway. My name is Sarah Ling (just in case you weren't aware of the tab you just clicked to get here) and I'm writing this to you in my final few schooldays of my senior year of high school. I'm currently 18 years old and have lived in Laingsburg since I was about three. I've changed a lot over the course of my four years of high school, hopefully for the better. Hey, speaking of me...
Who Are You?
Going into this project, I was honestly stumped with every single topic I have to cover. But the one that confused me the most was "Who are you?" Well, I'm me, aren't I? I'm the girl who loves science and art equally. I'm the girl who loves her friends just as much as she loves her family. I'm the girl who once ate six packs of Pop-Tarts on her final bus ride home from band camp because someone jokingly dared her to. I'm just me, as I've always been.
Then it occurred to me: the way I perceive myself isn't always how other people see me. To others, I could be that quiet kid who minds her own business in class. Or I could be that surly stage manager who needs the sets to be done and blames a ghost for taking an important prop from the stage (thanks, Vincent). Or maybe I'm that angry friend who gets mad over the smallest stuff, like people in the hallway. Off topic, but seriously, is it really that hard to walk at a normal speed down the right side of the hallway? I don't think so (lookin' at you, freshmen).
Anyway, my point is that despite knowing myself more than anyone else could, I'm not always what I think I am to others. But I was asked who I was, so I'll answer based on what I know about myself.
• I care about those close to me.
• I play video games.
• I love music.
• I'm interested in astronomy.
• I'm interested in mythology.
• I am opinionated.
• I am an artist
• I am a huge nerd.
I am me, and nothing can change this. I've been shaped and molded by my experiences in
and out of school, but who hasn't? However, who I am at my core has only been strengthened
by all of this.
Thinking back to freshman year, I remember being nothing more than a kid: self-conscious
and afraid of what horrors high school might hold. I remember being so uncertain of my classes,
if I'd keep my middle school friends, if I'd gain new friends. I was pretty much afraid of all the
basic high school fears, all while shedding the remnants of my awkward middle school days.
Four years later, I'm still that kid at heart, but I've grown past my self-consciousness and fear.
I've only been able to do this through the support from and connections made by friends I've
gained along my journey through high school. They've supported me as long as I've known
them, whether it's been through the small things they've done for me, like simply spending time
with me, or to larger things, like encouraging me with my art and prompting me to improve upon
it. The times I've spent with them have and will always be invaluable to me and I will use the
lessons they've taught me for the rest of my life.
Also, to give you a better sense of my interests and who I am, I've linked a few of my favorite songs below.
Then it occurred to me: the way I perceive myself isn't always how other people see me. To others, I could be that quiet kid who minds her own business in class. Or I could be that surly stage manager who needs the sets to be done and blames a ghost for taking an important prop from the stage (thanks, Vincent). Or maybe I'm that angry friend who gets mad over the smallest stuff, like people in the hallway. Off topic, but seriously, is it really that hard to walk at a normal speed down the right side of the hallway? I don't think so (lookin' at you, freshmen).
Anyway, my point is that despite knowing myself more than anyone else could, I'm not always what I think I am to others. But I was asked who I was, so I'll answer based on what I know about myself.
• I care about those close to me.
• I play video games.
• I love music.
• I'm interested in astronomy.
• I'm interested in mythology.
• I am opinionated.
• I am an artist
• I am a huge nerd.
I am me, and nothing can change this. I've been shaped and molded by my experiences in
and out of school, but who hasn't? However, who I am at my core has only been strengthened
by all of this.
Thinking back to freshman year, I remember being nothing more than a kid: self-conscious
and afraid of what horrors high school might hold. I remember being so uncertain of my classes,
if I'd keep my middle school friends, if I'd gain new friends. I was pretty much afraid of all the
basic high school fears, all while shedding the remnants of my awkward middle school days.
Four years later, I'm still that kid at heart, but I've grown past my self-consciousness and fear.
I've only been able to do this through the support from and connections made by friends I've
gained along my journey through high school. They've supported me as long as I've known
them, whether it's been through the small things they've done for me, like simply spending time
with me, or to larger things, like encouraging me with my art and prompting me to improve upon
it. The times I've spent with them have and will always be invaluable to me and I will use the
lessons they've taught me for the rest of my life.
Also, to give you a better sense of my interests and who I am, I've linked a few of my favorite songs below.
My Pride
Everyone takes pride in something, and for me that is my art. I haven't always been proud of
my skills and even now this pride falters every so often. Over the course of four years, however,
I've managed to gain a respect for my skill, even if I know I'm not the best artist out there. I've
always loved to draw ever since I could hold a pencil. It's just something that's always been a
fun activity for me. Through middle school, this interest died down and I became more focused
on other activities, like sports and school. Entering freshman year though, this interest was
ignited again for whatever reason. I worked to better myself, and probably wouldn't have
continued without the support I got from those close to me.
This love of art persisted and grew to the point where I decided that it was what I wanted to do
as my life's career. For years, I had flittered between different science careers, ranging from
paleontology to zoology. I'd never considered the possibility of having an art career. That reality
hit me junior year, where I discovered my love for character design and animation. From there, I
chose my college and major, fortunately being accepted to my college of choice under the major
I wanted. Without the support of my friends and family steadily building my pride for my
developing skills, I would be heading into a very different, uncertain future. Below are a few
pieces of artwork that I've drawn within the last year that I've used for my college portfolio, as well as two different scholarship competitions.
my skills and even now this pride falters every so often. Over the course of four years, however,
I've managed to gain a respect for my skill, even if I know I'm not the best artist out there. I've
always loved to draw ever since I could hold a pencil. It's just something that's always been a
fun activity for me. Through middle school, this interest died down and I became more focused
on other activities, like sports and school. Entering freshman year though, this interest was
ignited again for whatever reason. I worked to better myself, and probably wouldn't have
continued without the support I got from those close to me.
This love of art persisted and grew to the point where I decided that it was what I wanted to do
as my life's career. For years, I had flittered between different science careers, ranging from
paleontology to zoology. I'd never considered the possibility of having an art career. That reality
hit me junior year, where I discovered my love for character design and animation. From there, I
chose my college and major, fortunately being accepted to my college of choice under the major
I wanted. Without the support of my friends and family steadily building my pride for my
developing skills, I would be heading into a very different, uncertain future. Below are a few
pieces of artwork that I've drawn within the last year that I've used for my college portfolio, as well as two different scholarship competitions.
A Word of Advice
Thinking back in all that I've done, I can honestly say I have no regrets. Each and every
interaction I've had has taught me a lesson in some way, shape, or form. Even if these lessons
may have been unpleasant or embarrassing, I wouldn't go back and change them. Each
mistake has made me the person I am today just as much as every success has. It would be a
mistake in of itself to try and rid myself of my past. What I can offer though is some advice.
To any of you underclassmen reading this, or those looking for advice from a socially awkward
teenager, my first piece of advice is really simple: don't be afraid to be yourself. Whether this
means dressing in excessively dark clothing, or dropping a sport to join theater, or even
organizing a day of the week in which all your friends wear capes and call it Cape Tuesday, do
what will make you the happiest you can be in that given situation. When it comes down to it,
your happiness and well-being is all that truly matters.
That being said, try not to neglect your grades either. You may hate school, and who can
blame you? Cramped classrooms full of people you have nothing in common with, learning
about something you might have little to no interest in for a letter grade? I'd imagine just about
anyone would hate that. Despite this, your grades are important. They allow you to continue
onto college more easily and can even get you scholarships. And if you don't plan on going to
college, that's fine too. You should still get good grades. Being knowledgeable will get you
further along in life anyway.
My final piece of advice, I'd to present in the form of a quote said to me by one of my friends.
"Remember, it's a garbage can, not a garbage cannot." -Freddy VanSteenburgh
While when he said is to me it wasn't meant to be uplifting, I found it to be rather inspirational
and the message still stands. This message being that you can do anything you put your mind
to. The only person who ultimately stops you from doing what you love is you. Others may
present themselves as obstacles, telling you that you can't do it, that you aren't good enough, or
they may not approve of what your doing. If you love what you're doing, then my advice to you
is to ignore these people. Do what you love. Unless it's illegal. Please don't do anything illegal.
interaction I've had has taught me a lesson in some way, shape, or form. Even if these lessons
may have been unpleasant or embarrassing, I wouldn't go back and change them. Each
mistake has made me the person I am today just as much as every success has. It would be a
mistake in of itself to try and rid myself of my past. What I can offer though is some advice.
To any of you underclassmen reading this, or those looking for advice from a socially awkward
teenager, my first piece of advice is really simple: don't be afraid to be yourself. Whether this
means dressing in excessively dark clothing, or dropping a sport to join theater, or even
organizing a day of the week in which all your friends wear capes and call it Cape Tuesday, do
what will make you the happiest you can be in that given situation. When it comes down to it,
your happiness and well-being is all that truly matters.
That being said, try not to neglect your grades either. You may hate school, and who can
blame you? Cramped classrooms full of people you have nothing in common with, learning
about something you might have little to no interest in for a letter grade? I'd imagine just about
anyone would hate that. Despite this, your grades are important. They allow you to continue
onto college more easily and can even get you scholarships. And if you don't plan on going to
college, that's fine too. You should still get good grades. Being knowledgeable will get you
further along in life anyway.
My final piece of advice, I'd to present in the form of a quote said to me by one of my friends.
"Remember, it's a garbage can, not a garbage cannot." -Freddy VanSteenburgh
While when he said is to me it wasn't meant to be uplifting, I found it to be rather inspirational
and the message still stands. This message being that you can do anything you put your mind
to. The only person who ultimately stops you from doing what you love is you. Others may
present themselves as obstacles, telling you that you can't do it, that you aren't good enough, or
they may not approve of what your doing. If you love what you're doing, then my advice to you
is to ignore these people. Do what you love. Unless it's illegal. Please don't do anything illegal.
Conclusion:
While I may have hated high school the entire time I was here, there will be some aspects I
will miss. My friends as I've mentioned before is one of these. They've been such a large part of
my life, including those that I've only just made in this final year. I may never see some of them
again, and I can only wish them all the best and thank them for all they've done for me.
Another is my family. While I will see them again, living away from home for college will limit
how much I'll be around them. They've done so much for me, more than I could ever thank them
for. They've been there for me my entire life and I wouldn't be there person I am today without
them guiding me along all these years.
will miss. My friends as I've mentioned before is one of these. They've been such a large part of
my life, including those that I've only just made in this final year. I may never see some of them
again, and I can only wish them all the best and thank them for all they've done for me.
Another is my family. While I will see them again, living away from home for college will limit
how much I'll be around them. They've done so much for me, more than I could ever thank them
for. They've been there for me my entire life and I wouldn't be there person I am today without
them guiding me along all these years.